The Vanagon Dictionary

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Any of the Volkswagen Transporters from 1992 to present. some were sold in Europe in 1991. generally characterized by their engine located in the front of the vehicle, driving the front wheels, and their very rounded shape and huge rear hatch.

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Shortened nickname for the EuroVan .

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An RV manufacturer chosen by VW to convert basic EuroVans into full camper units for sale within the United States. Winnebago also manufactures the Rialta from the standard EuroVan body.

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Slang term for the Volkswagen EuroVan camper, which was converted by Winnebago .

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An Australian manufacturer of EuroVan camper conversions. Also see: TRAKKA web page

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Winnebago converts some EuroVans into mini-motorhomes, by adding Winnebago's own body (aft of the front doors) that's about 20"-24" wider than the normal EuroVan. Inside they install sink, stove, refridgerator, toilet, bed, & cabinets. The Rialta is sold through Winnebago's own network of RV dealers.

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The 4 th generation of Transporters , from 1992 to the present, known in North America as the EuroVan , and elsewhere as Caravelle or just Transporter .

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One of many camper versions made from a basic VW Transporter usually the only camper version imported into the U.S. by VW and sold at their dealers. Westfalia also converts EuroVans into full camper units for sale in Canada and Europe.

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The four-wheel drive version of the Vanagon , made between 1986 and 1991. using a viscous coupling arrangement, the front wheels could be made to automatically provide pulling power (at any time the rear wheels began to slip or spin). This term also applies to the four-wheel drive EuroVans , which are unfortunately not imported into the United States.

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Anti-Locking Braking System. a computerized method of helping to prevent wheel skid/lock-up during braking. it does not prevent spins, nor does it allow you to stop in a shorter distance. it does allow you to steer the car while braking as hard as possible. available as an option on some Vanagons and EuroVans in Europe during the late 1980's-1990's.

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An accessory package originally available on the Vanagon that bridged the gap between the passenger van and the camping-oriented Westfalia model. With the included rear bench that folded into a double-bed, fold-out table, and privacy curtains, an owner could easily move seven people during the week and provide sleeping space for two on the weekends. This idea and name have just been reintroduced as a model of the revamped Eurovan called the MV Weekender .

English · source definition

( Constant Velocity Joint ) One of the small circular devices at an end of an axle on a bus . Buses , Vanagons , and EuroVans have four of these, while the Syncro Vanagons have a total of eight. These are necessary to allow the axle to move up and down while still turning to propel the car. the joints need to be keep greased to function properly. when they are worn, they make a knocking-noise that strikes fear into the hearts of bus owners everywhere. Microbuses do not have CV joints, but use a 'swing-axle' and reduction gear box instead.